ecumenical

adjective

ec·​u·​men·​i·​cal ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-kəl 

-kyü-

1

a

: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches

b

: promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation

2

: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application

ecumenically

ˌe-kyə-ˈme-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-kyü-

adverb

Examples of ecumenical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The concept grew out of conversations nearly 10 years ago when four local pastors — two Black, two white — were together at an ecumenical function. —Debbie Elliott, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024

In fact, the archives of this paper has proof of my uncle’s ecumenical approach — a 1992 article about him and Carmen buying their home in East L.A. features a photo of them and Rudy, with my uncle sporting an Oakland A’s cap while Rudy wore a San Francisco Giants hat. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024

Reed does make many valid points about ecumenical hypocrisy and the iterative nature of organized religion. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024

The Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration 2024 kicked off Thursday with an ecumenical service at Kingdom Apostolic Ministries, 4900 E. 38th St. and is in full swing through June 30. —Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 22 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin oecumenicus, from Late Greek oikoumenikos, from Greek oikoumenē the inhabited world, from feminine of oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein to inhabit, from oikos house — more at vicinity

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ecumenical

• ecumenical patriarch

Kids Definition

ecumenical

adjective

ec·​u·​men·​i·​cal ˌek-yə-ˈmen-i-kəl 

1

: worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application

2

: of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches

3

: leading toward agreement or cooperation among Christians

ecumenically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin oecumenicus "worldwide," from Greek oikoumenē "the inhabited world," from oikein "to inhabit," from oikos "house"